Sky Sports: Infantino pushes for a €20 billion split plan

According to Sky Sports, Infantino has asked football associations to support FIFA's plan to sell part of its equity to private investors by September 19, promising recipients a $40 million incentive.

FIFA announced on Tuesday that it plans to launch FIFA Forward Enterprises (FFE), which will combine the sale of FIFA's commercial rights – including broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, and licensing – with event operations.

Under this scheme, FIFA will raise up to $4.2 billion from external investors by selling a minority, non-controlling stake in FFE. FIFA stated that FFE is valued at approximately $20 billion.

FIFA said the plan, which requires approval from member associations, could generate more than $10 billion in "football development funds" over the next four years.

Following the leak of his secret plan and strong opposition from UEFA, the FIFA president sent this letter only to the 211 member associations, mentioning funds available from January.

He warned that if countries do not support the sale of more than 20% of the shares in the new commercial entity responsible for operating the FIFA World Cup, funding for development projects, grassroots football, and national teams will be significantly reduced.

Infantino stated that the launch of FFE requires support from more than half of the members, as well as approval from the FIFA Council.

He wrote: "If neither of these conditions is met, FIFA will proceed with the Forward Program 4.0 as planned... This means that each member association will still receive approximately $10 million (£7.5 million) in the next cycle."

Infantino suggested that if the majority of global members support the plan, associations that do not back it could miss out on these funds.

He wrote: "This is a unique funding opportunity, available only to willing member associations, and each member association must make a decision by September 19, 2026, so that we can plan ahead, with funds becoming immediately available from January 1, 2027."

This letter raises the stakes in the financial game. FIFA had previously stated on Tuesday that the new venture would provide $20 million in funding support between 2027 and 2030, but that figure has now doubled.

Infantino wrote: "This entity will be entirely focused on one goal: to create as much value as possible for FIFA member associations."

However, FIFA did not respond to questions about how much financial benefit Infantino would gain from advancing this $20 billion project, nor did it explain how he could remain in office beyond 2031 if term limits require him to step down as president after his re-election next year.

UEFA then issued a strong statement, calling the proposals "crossing a line."

According to Sky Sports News, UEFA member states are expected to hold an urgent online meeting this week and have not ruled out threatening a boycott if Infantino continues with the plan.

On Tuesday evening, Labour leader Andy Burnham also openly criticised the move, writing on social media: "Football does not belong to investors. Football belongs to those who fill the stands week in, week out, rain or shine, and stand on the sidelines."

On Wednesday morning, an FA spokesperson added: "We have had no prior knowledge of, or substantive detail on, this proposal, including what it actually is and what conditions are attached."

"Based on the limited information currently available, we are deeply concerned about the lack of process and governance that has led to this proposal reaching this stage, and about the substance and principles it embodies.

“We will make our position clear and comment further once FIFA has shared the proposal in the full and transparent way it has now committed to.”

Concacaf also issued a statement, saying: "We only learned about this through media reports, and then through media briefings. We are deeply concerned by the lack of due process."

"Many in the region and across the football world are disappointed that these details were developed and publicly shared before discussions with relevant governance bodies and stakeholders, and we share that sentiment."

The relationship between UEFA and FIFA was already extremely tense. UEFA President Ceferin had previously skipped the FIFA World Cup final in protest over a series of governance issues at FIFA, including the handling of the Roaring Balogun incident.

However, the manner in which these plans were revealed, along with the proposals themselves, sparked a new wave of anger on Tuesday. FIFA did not mention this landmark strategy at the meeting with associations in New York on the eve of the FIFA World Cup final.

It is understood that the FA had no knowledge of the plans, which were first reported by the Financial Times and The Times. Sky Sports News has also contacted the Scottish FA and the Football Association of Wales for comment.

UEFA issued a statement after the reports emerged, saying that "the soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded."

"This crosses a line that football's governing bodies should never cross. UEFA takes this extremely seriously. Every national association should, too.

"Every stakeholder should, too: leagues, clubs, players, fans, governments, and everyone who cares about the future of the Sport.

"The soul and governance of football are not assets to be traded, especially when there is absolutely no transparency about who stands to benefit. None of us owns football. FIFA has no right to sell it."

FIFA subsequently clarified the proposed new structure. A spokesperson said FIFA had started a consultation process after receiving a proposal that is currently under consideration.

FIFA confirmed to Sky Sports News that JPMorgan will serve as the financial advisor for the project, while an investor group led by Thrive Capital is expected to lead the proposed investment. Thrive Capital’s CEO is Josh Kushner, the brother of Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner.

FIFA insisted that football governance, event scheduling, the international match calendar, and all sporting and regulatory decisions will remain solely under its control, with external investment going into FIFA subsidiaries rather than directly into FIFA itself.

FIFA stated that the new funds will help it increase payments to its 211 member associations through the FIFA Forward program, raising funding for the 2027-2030 cycle from the current budget of $8 million per association to $20 million.

Member associations can also apply for up to $20 million in one-time optional funding for major projects through the new FIFA Fast Forward program.

Infantino said the proposal would help "further democratize global football" and ensure that more commercial success is channeled back into development projects around the world.

Infantino said: "Football is the most popular Sport in the world and a powerful engine for human and social development."

"Parts of the game have turned this passion into significant commercial value, and we celebrate that success and want it to continue, as it drives the entire Sport... Our next phase of growth requires a structure designed for this, allowing the commercial side of football to operate as a focused, independent business that shares value better and more widely around the world."

FIFA also refuted claims that Infantino might become CEO of the new entity after his final presidential term, stating that such an arrangement was "never discussed."

However, FIFA said that, to ensure it maintains control over any subsidiary in accordance with its statutes and regulations and benefits member associations, the president and management need to play a leading role in any new entity.

FIFA is a non-profit organization with 211 member associations. As an association of associations, Switzerland-based FIFA enjoys tax-exempt status.

FIFA's revenue for the 2022-2026 cycle is expected to reach $15 billion, with most of it coming from broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and ticketing and hospitality revenue from this summer's men's FIFA World Cup.

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